I have a customer that wants me to charge his HP with propane based R22. I have never heard of this refrigerant. He says he has used it and can get it cheap. I don't like the sound of it. Sounds dangerous to me. What is it?

12-08-2012, 11:06 PM

welling service

Is it the same refrigerant that's used in RV reefers?

12-09-2012, 07:09 PM

joeblo

I never heard of it either. I always supply my own refrig. and use what the manufacture recommends. I would tell him if he wants it charged with that, then he can do it.

12-09-2012, 07:14 PM

martyinlincoln

Tell him no. The propane based refrigerants are not legal to use in home comfort cooling systems.

12-09-2012, 07:57 PM

junkhound

R290, BBQ fuel basically, just dehydrated.

Widely used in Europe and Australia.

12-09-2012, 08:44 PM

KB Cool

Yeah, don't do it. A guy like me may come along and pump the unit down to replace the indoor txv and kaboom!!!!!

12-09-2012, 08:52 PM

jpsmith1cm

I'd want to talk to his insurance agent, and YOURS before I even bought that stuff.

12-09-2012, 08:54 PM

Andy Schoen

Quote:

Originally Posted by welling service

I have a customer that wants me to charge his HP with propane based R22. I have never heard of this refrigerant. He says he has used it and can get it cheap. I don't like the sound of it. Sounds dangerous to me. What is it?

There are a number of hydrocarbon blends out there for R-22, including plain old propane. You cannot legally retrofit a unit in the U.S. with a hydrocarbon refrigerant.

12-09-2012, 11:04 PM

junkhound

Have built small experimental units with BBQ propane, ran thru a drier, work great with R22 txv/scroll compressor. Water/water unit outdoors where any R290 leak can flow downhill.

One of the safety concerns to remember is that the drier removes the percaptan as well as moisture so no aroma/smell to indicate a leak.

Anything anybody here builds never leaks anyways, eh?

12-10-2012, 04:05 PM

Foehammer

Armaflex will cover that leak for you hehe

12-12-2012, 01:53 AM

uniservice

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkhound

Have built small experimental units with BBQ propane, ran thru a drier, work great with R22 txv/scroll compressor. Water/water unit outdoors where any R290 leak can flow downhill.

One of the safety concerns to remember is that the drier removes the percaptan as well as moisture so no aroma/smell to indicate a leak.

Anything anybody here builds never leaks anyways, eh?

Odorant is Methyl Mercaptan,,,,,,,,,,,

12-12-2012, 02:49 PM

myott

We had a class the other day on new R22 replacements and the guy giving the class from Honeywell said the environmental nuts are pushing this hard at the EPA. He then showed us a demonstration video of a House Refrigerator charged with propane. They simulated a small leak and the defrost timer cut in and guess what!!!!! BBBOOOOMMMMMMM
One Hell of blast, blew the door completely off and sent the ice bin flying in the air. Not in my house!!!

12-15-2012, 05:54 PM

welling service

I am not going to use it. I do keep several types of refrigerant on my truck and propane is not one of them.